NEW DELHI: Under the guidance of Hon’ble Minister of Railways & Coal, Shri Piyush Goyal, IRCTC, the tourism wing of Ministry of Railways will run a special tourist train associated with the story of Lord Shri Ram from the famous Indian epic Ramayana in the name of “Shri Ramayana Express”.

Shri Ramayana Express will be flagged off on 14th November, 2018 from Delhi Safdarjung railway station. The train will cover all important destinations associated with the life of Lord Shri Ram in a 16 days all inclusive tour package which is spread both in the countries of India as well as Sri Lanka in which 4 destinations will be covered. The all inclusive tour package will cover all meals, accommodation and wash and change facilities in dharmashalas, all transfers, sight-seeing arrangements and dedicated tour manager of IRCTC who will be travelling with the tourists during the entire tour.

Named as Shri Ramayana Yatra-Sri Lanka, the pilgrimage circuit will have two travel components – one each in India and Sri Lanka. After leaving Delhi, the train will make its first stop in Ayodhya followed by Hanuman Garhi Ramkot and Kanak Bhawan temple. The train will then cover the important destinations of Ramayana circuit such as Nandigram, Sitamarhi, Janakpur, Varanasi, Prayag, Shringverpur, Chitrakoot, Nasik, Hampi and Rameshwaram.

The Ramayana Express train will have an overall capacity for 800 passengers. Attractively priced at only Rs. 15,120/- per person, the tour package will is going to be a favourite pick for the tourists aspiring for the same. The Sri Lanka leg of the tour will be charged separately. The passengers opting for Sri Lanka leg of the Ramayana Yatra package can take a flight to Colombo from Chennai. IRCTC presently offers 5-night/6-day Sri Lanka tour package at a cost starting from Rs 36,970/- per person. The tour package will cover destinations like Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, Colombo and Negombo.

The online booking of Shri Ramayana Express will be made live shortly on IRCTC’s website www.irctctourism.com . The bookings of the train will also be done by the 27 Tourist Facilitation Centres of IRCTC spread across the country.

IRCTC is also operating an AC Tourist Train from 28th August to 9th September 2018 on the Ramayana Circuit from Trivandrum offering an all inclusive tour package starting from Rs. 39,800/- onwards covering Panchavati, Chitrakoot, Shringverpur, Tulsi Manas Mandir, Darbhanga, Sita Marhi, Ayodhya and Rameshwaram.

IRCTC LAUNCHES SHRI RAMAYANA YATRA EXPRESS FROM MADURAI

IRCTC is operating a Bharat Darshan tourist train originating from Madurai covering the destinations associated with the famous Indian epic Ramayana in the name of “Shri Ramayana Yatra Express”.

Shri Ramayana Yatra Express will depart from Madurai Railway station on 14th November, 2018. The train will cover some of the key destinations associated with the life of Lord Rama in a 15 day all inclusive tour package spread across India and Janakpur in Nepal. The package priced at Rs. 15,810/- per person will include all meals, accommodation in dharmashalas for night stay/wash and change facilities, all train & road transfers, sight-seeing arrangements at destinations and the services of a dedicated IRCTC tour manager for the entire tour.

The Shri Ramayana Yatra Express departing from Madurai will have several boarding stations enroute viz Dindigul, Karur, Erode, Salem, Jolarpet, Katpadi, Chennai Central and Renigunta with the first stop over being at Hospet to visit the Ramayana sites of Kishkindha Kandam. Further the train will proceed to Nasik Road for visiting the temples at Panchavati (Aranya Kandam). The next destination is Chitrakoot Dham (Ayodhya Kandam) followed by Darbhanga (Bala Kandam), Sita Marhi, Janakpur (Nepal), Ayodhya & Nandigram (Ayodhya Kandam), Allahabad & Shringvernpur (Aranya Kandam) and Rameshwaram.

The Sri Lanka leg of the Ramayana Yatra has been planned prior to the train journey with departure from Chennai on 2nd November, 2018. It is an optional tour which has been programmed by flight on a 5 Nights/6 Days itinerary priced at Rs. 41,000/- per person on twin sharing. The group tour package includes onward/return air fare, accommodation in 3 star category equivalent hotels, AC road transfers, all meals, sightseeing, VISA, travel insurance and all applicable taxes. One English speaking local guide will receive the group at Colombo Airport and accompany for the entire tour of Sri Lanka. The Ramayana sites covered are Negombo, Kandy, Nuwara Eliya & Colombo. In addition, the temple at Kataragama is also being covered.

The online booking of both the packages are available on IRCTC’s website www.irctctourism.com. The packages may also be booked from the 27 Tourist Facilitation Centers of IRCTC spread across the country.